Canister-type vacuum cleaner



Jall- 1959 ca. M. KELLY 2,868,32l

CANISTER-TYPE VACUUM CLEANER Filed Oct. 18, 1957 3 Shqets-Sheet 1 an. 11 G. M. KELLY 2,868,321.

CANISTER-TYPE VACUUM CLEANER Filed Oct. 18, 1957 i s Shets-Sheet 2 a E"k Lac 2:222:21" G'ebzye M. Kelly Jan. 13, 1959 s. M. KELLY 2,868,321

CANISTER-TYPE VACUUM CLEANER Filed Oct. 18; 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Lyearm: Geqzje M Kelly This invention relates generally to cleaningapparatus and more particularly to, a canister-type vacuum cleaner,terminology which is used to describe an upright-type of a so-calledtank-type vacuum cleaner. i

It is an' object of the present invention to provide a canister-typevacuum cleaner having improved means for mounting and cushioning a motorfan unit.

Yet another object of the present invention is to proconnecting meansfor a canister-type vide improved filter vacuum cleaner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide improvedcoupling ,rrieansbetween the housing and a conduit used inassociationv/ith the cleaner. Many other advaiitages, features andadditional objects of the present invention will become rnanifesttothose versed in tlie art uponinaking reference was detailed,escription whiclrfo llow'sland the accompanying sheets or drawings in"which a preferred structural embodiment of a canistertype vacuumcleaner incorporating the principles ofthe present invention is shown byway of illustrativeexampleyff o rthe drj ings:* ""Figurel isa brokenelevational view with parts shown in cross-section illustrating acanister-type vacuum cleaner incor iorating'ithe principles of thepresentinventidh; Q Figurez is a fragmentary explodedview illustratingadditional details of construction of the present invention andparticularly withrespect to the motor mounting improvements thereof; 1 l

Figure 3 isa reduced planelevationalview of the botomflof themachine,.asshown in Figure 2, but with the parts assembled and in assembledrelation "with one an he 4 is afragment arycross-sectional view showingthe conduit cduplirig connection detailsof thefpresent new it t t F'gureis aview similar to Figure 4, but showing the pa ts in an e qjloded Viewto illustrate, additional details ofcoristructioli; and i i Figure 6 isa fragmentary cross-sectionalview showing addit'onaldetails of thefilter bag attaching meansi Asshcwn n c ra canister cleaner of thepresent invention is indi cated e rally i and comprises anupper housinglljan a lower housing '12 together forming a unitary housin dr casing13. i The. c erlhp s s lyzl m' es h e m em shaped t provide abottom wall14 and upstanding cironm'ferentially extending side wall portions 16terminatinsihf' r a ly u ar l e e i flan e The side wall'portions 16 areparticularly characterized by an annular row of outlet openings 18. Anannular ring of soundfdeadenin'g insulating material such as is shown at'19 s fa tened t tbs i l r n of t e d walls housing constitutes asheetform member which has a generally inverted cup shape configurationincluding a top wall 20 and depending side wall portions 21 terminatingin a radially outwardly extending flange fan unit within the casing 39.

2,8b832i Patented Jan. 13, 1959 22 adapted to be positioned in overlyingadjacency tothe flange 17 of the lower housing 12. A handle for carryingthe machine is shown at 23 and is fastened to the top wall 20 bysuitable fastening means 24. e

A generally horizontally disposed partition or wall 26 extends acrossthe interior of the housing or casing 13 between the upper housing Handthe lower housing 12, thereby todivide the interior of the casing 13into a dirtseparating compartment'2'7 and an air discharge or outletcompartment 28.

More specifically, the partition or wall 26 constitutes afsheet formember of a generally annular configuration having an outer peripheraledge 29 of greater diameter thanthe diametral dimension of the sidewalls 16, thereby to overlie andabut'tingly engage the flange 17 of thelower housing 12. t m

The partition or wall '26 is embossed, thereby toj-provide a generallyarching portion 30 radially inwardly of the peripheral edge 29 andterminating in a vertical shoulder 31 which is oflset to provide theside wall of an annular recess 32. Extending radially inwardly from theside wall portion 31 is a horizontal wall portion 33 which terminates inan offset inner rim 34 surrounding the edge of a centrally disposedopening 36. The embossed shape of the partition or wall as endows thesheet form member with additional rigidity and strength. The partitionor wall 26 is preferably firmly assembled to the lower housing 12, forexample, by spot-welding the peripheral edge 29 to the flange 17 atvarious circumferentially spaced points.

A motor fan unit indicated generally at 37 has: an electric motor 38drivingly connected with a fan unit enclosed within a casing 39, thecasing 39 being of larger size than the motor end of the unit 37,thereby to provide a radially extending wall 40 terminating in a rounded"corner 4-1 which is of a dimensional extent slightly larger than thediametral dimension of the opening 36 formed in the partition or wall26. The casing further includes a circumferentially extending side wall42 and an endwall 43. i

As is shown in Figure 1, suitable conductor wires 44 are connectedelectrically to the motor 38. The wires 44 are connected toaconventional sheathed cord 46 which passes through the side wallportions 16 of the lower housing 12 via an appropriate gasket 47,therebyto facilitate electrical connection to a domestic supply sourceof electricity for energizing the motor 33 and actuating the Accordingtothe principles of the present invention, the motor fan unit 37 isassembled with the lower housing 12 and in the partition or wall 2 6 bythe mere simple act of inserting the motor portion 38 through theopening 36 so that the casing 39 will overlie the inner rim In thisconnection, a resilient gasket 50 is provided which has a generallycylindrical pilot portion 51 having an outer diameter provided by asideWall 52 of the same dimension as the opening 36.

A supporting portion 53 extends radially outwardly from the pilotportion and overlies and seats against the rim 34. The support'portion53 is provided with an upstanding flange 54. which extends in axialdirection generally parallel to the pilot portion 51, but spacedconcentrically outwardly thereof. The inner surface of the gasket fillis curved as at 56 to conform to the configuration of the rounded corner41 of the casing 39.

Thus, in assembly, the gasket 50 is merely inserted in place in theopening 36 of the partition or wall 26, whereupon the motor fan unit,having been electrically connected'bymcans of the quick fasteningcouplers57 (Figure l), is conveniently set down in place ontop of thegasket 50. Theupstanding flange 54 of the gasket 5t] closely embracesthe side wall 42 and the motor pass through one of prises an end wall 59and side wall portions 60 which depend therefrom, there being furtherprovided an outwardly projecting flange 61 suitably apertured atcircumferentially spaced points as at 62.

aeeasai The horizontal wall portion 33 of the partition or wall 26 islikewise provided with apertures 63 correspond- -ing in number andlocation to the apertures it will be noted that the end Wall 58 and theside walls 60 of the shroud member 58 have formed therein air flowopenings 64, thereby rendering the shroud member foraminous.

The shroud member 538 is particularly characterized by the provisionthereon of a plurality of resilient bumpers or buttons indicated at 66.The bumpers or buttons 66 conveniently comprise a generallysemi-spherical knob portion which preferably projects inwardly forresilient abutting engagement against the end wall 43 which adjoins theend wall 59 of the shroud member 58. A neck portion of reduced diametersufliciently small to the openings 64-, or a separate opening, ifdesired, is provided on the bumpers or buttons 66, and there is furtherprovided a fiat retainer portion 67 which overlies the edges of thecorresponding opening, thereby locking the bumpers or buttons 66 inplace on the end wall 59 of the shroud member 58.

By virtue of such arrangement, simple fastening means such as a metalscrew 69 is provided for each set of openings 62 and 63 and the shroudmember 58 is drawn into firm assembly with the partition or wall 26,while the motor fan unit is resiliently and firmly clamped between thegasket 50 and the resilient bumpers or buttons 66.

In the embodiment shown, there are three bumpers or buttons 66 and threemetal screws 69. Thus, the entire motor mounting assembly requires onlythree simple metal screws and yet a fully cushioned assembly isprovided. p

In order to form a secondary filter for the cleaner, there is provided agenerally cup-shaped filter cap 78 which includes an end wall 71 and acylindrical side wall 72, the filter cap '70 comprising any suitablefiltering material such as a porous felt, or the like. The flexiblefilter cap 70 generally conforms in size and configuration to the shroudmember 58 and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, fits over the shroud member58 in snug relationship therewith.

The upper housing 11 carries a peripheral gasket 73 on the flange 22,which gasket is shaped to provide a circumferentially extending bumperfor the machine, as well as a sealing gasket portion 74 which extendsbetween'the flange 22 and the flange 17.

There is further provided on the upper housingll, a pair of toggleclamps 76, 76 which engage the underside of the flange 17 on the lowerhousing 12 to lock the upper housing 11 in firm sealed-together assemblywith the lower housing.

As shown in Figures 4 and taken in conjunction with Figure l, the upperhousing 11 has formed in the side wall portions 21 thereof, an inletopening 80 particularly characterized by an inwardly extending em bossedflange 81. I

Received within the inlet opening 80 is a ferrule 82 which moreparticularly includes a cylindrical barrel potion 83 struck out as at 84at one or more circumferentially spaced points to provide an oilsetradially outwardly projecting lug or tongue 86.

The ferrule .to the lugs or tongues 86 on 82 further includes a flange87 which overlies the edges of the opening on the outside of the upperhousing 11, but which is retained in spaced relationship with respectthereto by an annular axially extending wall terminating in an edgeportion 89 engaging against an adjoining wall surface of the upperhousing 11. There is thus formed an annular clearance space 90 betweenthe upper housing 11 and the flange 87.

It will be understood that after the ferrule 82 is inserted into theopening 80, the lugs or tongues 86 are offset behind the embossmcnt 81on the inside-of the housing 211, while the flange 87 overlies the edgesof the opening 88 on the outside of the housing, thereby to place theferrule 82 in firm assembly with the upper housing 11.

Although other forms of filtering means could be employed, it iscontemplated that the present cleaner can advantageously utilize adisposable filter bag made of a porous paper filter material, such afilter bag being indicated generally at 91. The filter bag ischaracterized by a reinforcement 92 having an inlet opening 93 formedtherein. As shown in Figure 6, at selected circumferential points on theopening 93, radially outwardly extending slots 94 are formedcorresponding in number and location the ferrule'82. Thus, to attach thefilter bag 91 to the inlet opening 80, the reinforcement 92 is merelyplaced in register with the inlet opening and the lugs or tongues 86 arepassed through the slots 94 whereupon the reinforcement and the bag 91are twisted to effect a bayonet-locking action, the respective lugs 86underlying the edges of the opening 93 in the reinforcement 92.

As shown on Figures 1, 4 and 5, the flange 87 of the ferrule 82 isparticularly characterized by the formation therein of a pair ofcircumferentially spaced slots 96 and a corresponding pair ofcircumferentially spaced openings 97, each slot and each opening 96 and97 constituting a matched pair of slotted openings for cooperativeengagement with a latching mechanism of a hose coupling connectorprovided in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Thus, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a fabric hose 98 is provided by meansof which the cleaner 10 may be operated with the usual accessories, suchas cleaning wands and the like. At the end of the fabric hose 98, thereis provided a terminal tube 99. The fabric of the hose 98 ,forms ashoulder 100 along the length of the terminal the bead 101 and-theshoulder 100, there is provided a locking ring 102 having a radiallyextending wall 103 reversely flanged as at 104.. The axially extendingwall of the ring 102 terminates in a forward edge 106 characterized bythe formation there-- in of two circumferentially spaced lugs 107 eachhaving: a finger extremity formed thereon.

A coil spring 109 is bottomed at one end against the bead 101 and isbottomed at its opposite end against the radial wall 103, thereby tonormally bias the locking ring: against the shoulder 100 provided by thefabric hose 98.

In order to assemble and lock the hose in the inlet open-- ing 80, theterminal tube 99 is inserted inthe inlet open-- ing through the barrelportion the same time, the locking ring 102' is manipulated to pass therespective lugs 107 through the corresponding set of and the terminaltube 99 is withdrawnfrom the ferrule 82.

As shown in Figure 4, when the hose 98 is assembled with t e cleaner,the terminal tube 99 actually extends 83 of the ferrule 82. At

. hancing the portability of the housing and a flange into the filterbag 91 through the reinforcement 92, thereby to discharge dirt-ladenairinto the interior of the filter bag. a t r Thefiltered air then passesthrough the secondary filter 70 and through the opening 64 of the shroudmember 58, through the motor fan unit 37, whereupon the air isdischarged into the discharge compartment 28 and is diffused through thesound-deadening hat of material 19, and through the outlet openings 18in the lower housing 16.

As .shown in Figure 2, the lower housing 12 may be provided withembossments 116, each carrying a swivel caster 117 equipped with rollerwheels 118, thereby encleaner in the course Ofopbrationthereof. p a a aAlthough various minor modifications might be sugs ated by those versedinthe, art, it, should be understood that I wish to embody withiiithescope of the patent warranted hereon, all such modifications asreasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to theart. j

. I claim asmy invention: I 1. In ajcanister cleaner, a housinghaving adirt-sepajrating compartment with an inlet opening formedin the wallsithereof, said housing having an edge portion extending inwardly intosaid dirt-separating compartment at said inlet opening, a ferrule insaid opening having a barrel portion projecting through said openinginto said overlying the edges of said opening outside of said housing,said barrel portion having struckout lug portions underlying said edgeportion on the inside of said housing, and a dirt-separating filter bagin said compartment made of flexible porous filter material and havingrigidified reinforcement means forming an inlet opening sized to receivesaid barrel portion and having slots formed in said rigidifiedreinforcement means extending radially outwardly from said inlet openingcorresponding in number and placement to said lug portions for effectinga bayonet coupling connection of said filter bag therewith.

2. In a canister cleaner, a housing having a dirt-separating compartmentwith an inlet opening formed in the walls thereof, said housing havingan edge portion extending inwardly into said dirt-separating compartmentat said inlet opening, a ferrule in said opening having a barrel portionprojecting through said opening into said housing and a flange overlyingthe edges of said opening outside of said housing, said barrel portionhaving struckout lug portions underlying said inwardly extending edgeportion and the inside of said housing, said flange having a transversewall spaced from said housing and having circumferentially spaced slotsformed therein, and a conduit member connected to said ferrulecomprising a terminal tube inserted into said barrel portion, saidterminal tube having an annular bead projecting radially outwardlythereof, a fabric hose connected to said terminal tube and forming anannular shoulder spaced axially from said head, a locking ring slidablycarried by said tube between said head and said shoulder, and a springbottomed against said head and against said locking ring to normallybias said locking ring against said shoulder, said locking ring havingaxially projecting lug portions corresponding in number and location tosaid slots and engaging said flange to lock said conduit in saidferrule.

3. In a canister cleaner, a housing having a dirt-separating compartmentwith an inlet opening formed in the walls thereof, said housing havingan inwardly extending edgeportion at said inlet opening, a ferrule insaid opening having a barrel portion projecting through said openinginto said housing and a flange overlying the edges of said openingoutside of said housing, said barrel portion having struck-out lugportions underlying said inwardly extending edge portion on the insideof said housing, a dirt-separating filter in said compartment havingmeans forming an inlet opening sized to receive said barrel portion andhaving slots extending radially outwardly from said inlet openingcorresponding in numher and placement to said lug portions foreffectinga bayonet coupling connection of said filter therewith, saidflange of said ferrule having a transversewall spaced from said housingand, having circumferentially spaced slots formed therein, a conduitmember connected to'said ferrule comprising a terminal'tube insertedinto said barrel portion and projecting into the interior ofsaid filter,said terminal tube having an annular bead projecting radially outwardlythereof and engaging on one'side against said flange of said ferrule, afabric hose connected to said terminal tube and having anannularshoulder spaced axially from said head, a locking'l'ing slidablycarried by said terminal tube between said head and said shoulder, and aspring bottomed against said head and against said locking. ring tonormally bias'said locking ring against said shoulder, said. lockingring having axially projecting lug portions corresponding innumber andlocation to said slots in' said flangeof said ferrule to lock saidconduit in firm assembly with said housing, thereby to dischargedirtladen air into said filter within said dirt-separating compartment.

4. In a. canister-type vacuum cleaner, a casing including a lowerhousing, an upper housing and an intermediate wall therebetween dividingthe casing into an uppe1"dirt-separating compartment and a lower outletcompartment, a motor fan unit in said wallhaving first and secondoppositely projecting parts in said upper and lower compartments,respectively, and a shroud member having an end wall overlying saidfirst part, side walls circumjacent said first part and a flange spacedfrom an adjoining surface of said intermediate wall fastening screwsbetween said flange and said intermediate wall, resilient cushioningmeans between said end wall of said shroud member and said unit andbetween said intermediate wall and said unit, whereby said motor fanunit is clamped in assembly by drawing up said flange against saidintermediate wall with said fastening means, said upper housingrhavinganinlet opening formed in the walls thereof, said housing having an edgeextending inwardly at said inlet opening into said dirt-separatingcompartment, a ferrule in said opening having a barrel portionprojecting through said opening into said dirtseparating compartment anda flange overlying the edges of the opening outside of said upperhousing, said barrel portion having struck-out lug portions underlyingsaid edge portion on the inside of said upper housing, and adirt-separating filter in said compartment having means forming an inletopening sized to receive said barrel portion and having slots extendingradially outwardly from said inlet opening corresponding in number andplacement to said lug portions for effecting a bayonet couplingconnection of said filter therewith.

5. In a canister-type vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 4, a cup-shapedmember made of filter material enclosing said shroud member to form asecondary filter for the cleaner.

6. In a canister-type vacuum cleaner, a casing including a lowerhousing, an upper housing and an. intermediate wall therebetwe'endividing the easing into an upper dirtseparating compartment and a loweroutlet compartment, a motor fan unit in said wall having first andsecond op positely projecting parts in said upper and lowercompartments, respectively, and a shroud member having an end walloverlying said first part, side walls circumjacent said first part and aflange spaced from an adjoining surface of said intermediate wall,fastening screws between said flange and said intermediate wall,resilient cushioning means between said end wall of said shroud memberand said unit and between said intermediate wall and said unit, wherebysaid motor fan unit is clamped in assembly by drawing up said flangeagainst said inter mediate wall with said fastening means, said upperhousing having aninlet opening formed in the walls thereof, saidhousinglhavingyanredge extending inwardly at saidinletopeninginto saiddirt-separating compartment, a ferrule in said opening having a barrelportion project ing through said opening into said dirt-separatingcornpartment and a flange overlying the edges of the opening L outsideof said upper housing, said barrel portion having struck-out lugportions underlying said edge portion on the inside of said upperhousing, and a dirt-separating filter in said compartment having meansforming an inlet opening sized to receive said barrel portion and havingslots extending radially outwardly from said inlet opening correspondingin number and placement to said lug portions for efiecting a bayonetcoupling connection of said filter therewith, said flange of saidferrule having a transverse wall spaced from said upper housing andhaving circumferentially spaced slots formed therein, a terminal tubeinserted into said barrel portion and extending into said filter, saidterminal tube having an annular bead projecting radially outwardlythereof, a fabric .hose connected to said terminal tube and forming anannular shoulder spaced axially from said bead, a locking ring slidablycarried by said terminal tube between said bead and said shoulder, and aspring bottomed against said bead and against said locking ring tonormally bias said locking ring against said shoulder, said locking ring,having axially projecting lug portions corresponding in'numberand-location torsaid slots to lock said hose' in firm assemblywith said cleaner.

7. In a canister cleaner, a housing having a dirt-separating compartmentwith an inlet opening formed in the walls thereof, means forming abarrel portion projecting through said inlet opening into said housing,said barrel portion havingstruck-out lug portions extending radiallyoutwardly of' said barrel portion on the inside of said housing, and adirt-separating filter bag in said compartment madeof flexible porousmaterial and having rigidified reinforcen'ient means forming an inletopening sized to receive said barrel portion and having slots formed insaid rigidified reinforcement means extending radially outwardly fromsaid inlet opening corresponding in number and'placement tosaidlug'portions for eifecting a bayonet coupling connection of said filterbag therewith.

ReferencesuCited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 525,184Germany May 20, 19,31

